Ranking the 5 most important players on the Sacramento Kings Heading into 2024-25

#4: Kevin Huerter

Why would someone who we frequently discuss in potential trades be one of the team's most important players, you ask?

Well, for starters, the reason the Kings are even thinking of trading him is because he is coming off a down season – one where his 3-point and true shooting percentage took a 4.1 and 5.8 percent decrease, respectively.

However, there are two pieces of hope to hold on to here. One, it isn't uncommon for great shooters to have down seasons from time to time. And second, in 2022-23 (just one season ago), Huerter had the best year of his career.

A big reason why the Kings fell off so much on offense last year (going from first in offensive rating to 13th) is because of Huerter's struggles. In 2022-23, the Kings were in the 96th percentile in offensive rating during Huerter's minutes.

Now, back to why Huerter is so important. The formula for this Kings team to go far is to maintain their defense from last year (14th in defensive rating)* while also rekindling the offensive spark they had in 2022-23. If they are going to do the latter, they need Huerter's spacing and dynamic movement shooting to be back on track.

(*Sidebar #2: One added bonus of Huerter is that he's a solid rim protector for a wing, placing in the 54th percentile in block rate last season.)

The only reason Huerter isn't higher is that there is someone else on this list who can run similar routes to him on offense.